BEATTIE AIMS BIG IN BIRMINGHAM

Thursday, 03 March 2016

Beattie, the creative communications group, has recruited the former PR supremo from Mondelēz International and Cadbury to head up its team in Birmingham.

Tony Bilsborough secured the top communications job at Cadbury UK in 2004 and became head of UK external communications for Kraft Foods and then Mondelez International following the confectionery giant's acquisition in 2010.

He is one of the most respected communications figures in the food and drink sector, having played a key strategic role in the battle to keep Cadbury independent and following its acquisition, he spearheaded the campaign to enhance the reputation of Mondelēz in the UK.

Laurna Woods, group managing director of Beattie, said: “Tony’s reputation goes before him and he will be a major asset to Beattie as we grow our team in Birmingham and further develop other parts of the business.”

Bilsborough, who will undertake corporate and reputation management work in London as well as firmly establishing the Beattie brand in Birmingham, will also become a member of Beattie’s specialist marketing boutique Only Food & Drink.

He said: “Beattie is one of the fastest growing communications agencies in Britain and I look forward to playing my part in driving forward our presence in Birmingham and London.”

Woods continued: “We have always had ambitious plans for our operation in the West Midlands but lack of available talent stifled our ambitions.

“We have finally found the right person to lead our team and I’m confident we will build a sizable and robust business in booming Birmingham.”

Bilsborough is the third major signing Woods has made this year. She appointed DADA’s former head of PR Laura McIlquham to a senior account director role in Scotland while snatching Jessica McAndrew from the BIG Partnership as UK digital communications director.

Since the start of the year, Beattie has recruited nine new members of staff and pledged to hire a total of 30 new faces by the end of 2016 to mark the founding of the agency 30 years ago.

Headquartered in London, Beattie has eight offices across the UK including Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow. Headline services include PR, social, digital, design and content. Clients include Specsavers, Merck and Kimberly-Clark.